- The CS also addressed the contentious issue of grazing within forests, firmly stating that grazing activities would no longer be permitted.
In a bid to combat climate change, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Soipan Tuya, has appealed to Kenyans to desist from encroaching on the country’s forests.
Speaking during a tree-planting activity in Ngong Hills on Monday, May 13, 2024, the Cabinet Secretary emphasized the role of forest conservation in mitigating climate change.
“I think everyone has seen the adverse effects of climate change. It is taking lives, taking away our property and destroying our livelihoods. So, we are going to intensify efforts to make sure that we keep people off of our forests,” she said.
Furthermore, CS Tuya highlighted the Ministry's dedication to reducing illegal activities within forests. She commended the government's initiative to bolster the presence of enforcement officers within the Kenya Forest Service, which has already resulted in a decline in forest-related illegalities.
“We are to be very firm in regard to forest encroachment. Since assuming office, we have taken significant steps to combat this issue, but more work needs to be done," Secretary Tuya asserted. "I earnestly urge and plead with Kenyans to refrain from encroaching on our forests. Forests are not open spaces for all; they must be conserved."
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The CS also addressed the contentious issue of grazing within forests, firmly stating that grazing activities would no longer be permitted.
She called upon local communities to support this measure, underscoring the need for alternative methods of livestock sustenance.
One such solution proposed by the Ministry is cultivating fodder trees on private farms, thereby ensuring that forests continue to provide clean air, sequester carbon, and offer essential ground cover to mitigate recurring floods and droughts.
